Alva Beach inquest: Judicial review hearing date set to determine fate of Dean Webber’s evidence

A final ruling on whether a key witness in a double stabbing at Alva Beach will give evidence in person is edging closer, with a crucial court date now set.

A FINAL ruling on whether a key witness in a double stabbing at Alva Beach will give evidence in person is edging closer, with a crucial court date now set.

Legal teams for the families of Thomas Davy and Corey Christensen will stake their claims to the Brisbane Supreme Court next month, as they fight to overturn a decision to excuse Dean Webber from taking the stand into the double stabbing he committed.

Mr Davy, 27, and Mr Christensen were fatally stabbed by Mr Webber inside his Topton St home on October 1, 2018.

Tom Davy was one of two men stabbed to death at Alva Beach. Picture Facebook

They were looking for Mr Davy’s girlfriend, Candice Locke, who had run into the home after falling from a buggy and injuring herself after a NRL viewing party down the road.

The strange circumstances of Mr Davy and Mr Christensen’s death have been subject of an ongoing inquest which ran in Cairns for five days in October last year.

Mr Webber has never been charged over the incident, which was deemed self-defence by lead detectives days after their deaths.

Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley ruled during the inquest, which investigated 10 issues, that Mr Webber would be excused from giving evidence in person or verbally, and ordered he give his evidence in writing due to his PTSD from the coronial inquest.

Photos show Dean Webber's injuries after the Alva Beach stabbing. Photo: QPS

Ms Bentley’s decision was not taken lightly by the legal teams for the families of the deceased men, who formally applied for a review of her decision days after the inquest was adjourned on October 16.

On October 30, the families had a win in their fight for Mr Webber to be cross-examined face-to-face, when Justice Susan Brown made an order staying Ms Bentley’s decision until the Supreme Court decides how Mr Webber will give evidence.

Ayr CIB Detective Sergeant Gavin Neal conducts a walk-through of the home with Dean Webber.

A source told the Townsville Bulletin the judicial hearing of the review will be heard on February 12, and is the next step in deciding whether Mr Webber will ever have to face a coroner over the deaths.

A spokeswoman from the Supreme Court could not confirm the court date.

It is understood a decision will not likely be made at the hearing, and the judge may reserve her decision to a later date.

Originally published as Alva Beach inquest: Judicial review hearing date set to determine fate of Dean Webber’s evidence